Quantitative determination of dehydroepiandrosterone fatty acyl esters in human female adipose tissue and serum using mass spectrometric methods

► DHEA-FAE and free DHEA in adipose tissue and serum were quantified by LC-MS/MS or GC-MS. ► Unlike estradiol-fatty acid esters, DHEA-FAE was not detectable in adipose tissue. ► 32-178 pmol/g of free DHEA in adipose tissue were quantified, which was 4-10 times more than in serum. ► DHEA-FAE concentration in serum was 0.5-2.8 pmol/ml, corresponding to 5-15% of total DHEA.